CountryTalk FALL 2015

Glasman family wins 2015 Northlands Farm Family Award Third generation Strathcona family honoured with the Northlands Farm Family award.

The Glasman family originally started a have been farming on the section full-time since homestead in Strathcona County in the late 1994. They have three children: James, Kaylie and 1800s; three generations have since resided on Josie, ages 14, 17, and 19, respectively. James is the home quarter. The operation has always been an avid innovator, building his own bicycles and a mixed farm, which has been kept alive by crafting an egg-washer for his 30 laying hens and Robert Glasman and his family. 115 new chicks. Kaylie is planning to earn her degree in Education in . Josie is attending Nominated by the Agricultural Society Grant MacEwan to attain her Nursing degree. All as honest, hardworking farmers, the Glasmans the children have been actively involved in sports, are a close family who not only farm together, but student council and community events. also spend their free time together. They ride horses, garden avidly, and volunteer at the Shiloh The Glasmans take great pride in their farm and Youth Ranch. Even activities like branding calves sharing the simple pleasures of country life by and butchering chickens have become a family welcoming everyone who sets foot in their home. affair. To relax a little, the Glasmans love to attend Farm Fair and the rodeos in town. Northlands recognizes a hard working farm family in Strathcona County every other year with this The current farm is not only a beautifully award. Strathcona County also recognizes maintained property, but is still a fully functioning achievements in Agriculture with our Pride of dairy, beef and grain operation. This year, wheat, Strathcona Awards annually. barley and canola were sown. Their beef cows make use of the community pasture near Long If you would like to nominate a family or Lake, while the dairy cows are still grazed on individual for these awards, please contact pasture near the barn. Transportation and Agriculture Services at 780-417-7100. Lenora Glasman grew up in Uncas, and met Robert in high school. Robert and Lenora

Fusarium Head Blight facts: • Most common symptoms of the Fusarium Head Blight disease include premature bleaching or wilting of heads and discoloured Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a fungal disease of wheat caused by the pathogen Fusarium fl orets. graminearum, often in conjunction with several other Fusarium species. F.graminearum was declared a pest under Alberta’s Agricultural Pest Act in 1999 because of its aggressive nature. FHB is able to infect • Seeds contained within wilted heads wheat, barley, oats and corn. often do not fi ll normally and take on a shrivelled and/or lightened Strathcona County is monitoring for the disease through our inspection program, in order to limit its appearance. introduction, spread and impact. This year, Strathcona County will conduct a fi eld sampling survey as • The pathogen can overwinter on part of the 2015 Fusarium Survey by Alberta Agriculture. infected crop residue. • The pathogen is seed borne so Further information infested feed, seed and straw all have Transportation and Agriculture Services the capacity to spread or introduce 780-417-7100 F.graminearum to new areas in Alberta. • Since the early 1990s, Canadian losses have been estimated between $50 million and $300 million annually. • FHB reduces test weight and lowers market grade due to the production of discolored, shrivelled kernels. Keep Alberta rat free

Alberta takes pride in its “rat-free” status and relies on residents in the to keep them out. Ultimately this prevents crop damage, disease, food contamination and damaged buildings.

The Alberta Rat Control Program and network of Pest Control Offi cers are dedicated to maintaining this status, any suspected rat sightings or activity should be reported to Transportation and Agriculture Services 780-417-7100 or Alberta Agriculture and Land Use Bylaw updates Rural Development at 310-RATS (7287). support community living Things to remember when buying feed from You chose a rural lifestyle in the country. You have a large piece of property, a plentiful garden other regions: and a couple horses the children like to ride. • Always check for signs of a rat infestation in your imported feed. Visit the Alberta Agriculture website for things to look Strathcona County’s Land Use Bylaw was recently • Need help on the farm? A temporary for and photos. updated giving further consideration to the agricultural dwelling on larger than 40 acres • Also remember that weeds can travel in differences between rural and urban living. may be considered for intensive agricultural feed too! Be vigilant to control or destroy activities. any invasive weeds that could come in All home owners and businesses in Strathcona • Equestrian Centre regulations were developed from other areas. County are in some way impacted by the Land after consultation with the Agricultural Service Use Bylaw. It’s the planning tool that establishes Board. These regulations help to defi ne when www.agriculture.ca/rats rules to govern what can be built where, and for a permit for an Equestrian Centre is required what purpose. It supports our vision as one of or when it would be considered general Further information ’s most livable communities. agriculture not requiring a permit.

Transportation and Agriculture Services Here are a few of the Land Use Bylaw changes. • Wind energy and solar collectors are now 780-417-7100 Before you proceed with any development, please included in the regulations. If you’d like to confi rm the zoning of your property to determine power the lights in the barn with a turbine, how the regulations may affect your project. this may be an option. • If you are a hobby farmer or gardener and The Land Use Bylaw provides rules to protect and wish to have an agricultural product stand, support our quality of life. It helps to provide it is now easier to sell vegetables from your clear direction for both County staff and the Hunting in property. community.

Strathcona County • In addition to secondary suites, stand-alone For more information on the Land Use Bylaw and garden suites are now permitted on some 2015 hunting season: its recent changes, visit www.strathcona.ca. If rural properties. These suites offer affordable you are considering development or a land use September 1 to December 7 options for housing, and provide fl exibility for bylaw amendment, please contact Planning and mobility challenged residents. Development Services at 780-464-8080. • For larger parcels, more accessory buildings are allowed. The size of a building exempt This article is meant to summarize some of the Land Use Bylaw changes and should not be used from a permit has also been increased. to interpret the Bylaw.

South Contact O ce Rural contact offices O ce hours: Tuesday to Friday Strathcona County’s rural contact offi ces act 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as satellite offi ces of County Hall, offering a Location: 22142 South Road Know the rules and regulations that are in variety of programs, information and O ce located in Fire Station #2 place before you plan your hunt. The 2015 services to rural residents. Phone: 780-922-1318 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations is now • Information on County programs for rural available. For locations of hunting licence residents. Heartland Hall Contact O ce issuers, please visit the Government of Alberta • Assistance with resident inquiries and issues. O ce hours: Monday to Thursday website at www.albertaregulations.com or • Fire permits, dog licences, maps, County 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. call 1-877-944-0313. bill payment accepted (by cheque). Location: 55305 Range Road 214 • Commissioner for Oaths services - free O ce located in Fire Station #4 Alberta Fish and Wildlife, District, of charge. Phone: 780-400-2165 is responsible for wildlife management and • Computer/Internet access... and more. enforcement of Alberta’s Wildlife Act. www.strathcona.ca/rural Further information Transportation and Agriculture Services 780-417-7100 www.strathcona.ca/hunting Alberta Fish and Wildlife Edmonton District O ce 780-427-3574

24-hour numbers Strathcona County RCMP 780-467-7741 Report-a-Poacher 1-800-642-3800 South Contact O ce Heartland Hall Contact O ce Extra guests Rural Internet can tax a Access Program septic system Do you enjoy peaceful country living but not the snail pace of your home Internet The upcoming holiday season with connection? its happy gatherings of family and friends may not seem like the perfect Waiting endlessly for that web page to load may time to talk about proper use and soon be a thing of the past for residents in rural maintenance of septic systems, but it is. Strathcona County. With its innovative Rural Internet Access Program, the County is working to Holiday preparations and get-togethers improve Internet service in hard-to-reach rural can mean hosting out-of-town guests who areas where treed and hilly terrain can sometimes can overwhelm a system and may not be keep the online world out of reach. familiar with necessary septic system precautions. No one needs the extra cost Working with local Internet service providers, of repairs or cleanups, especially during and with feedback from residents, the County Thanksgiving or the gift-giving season. has identifi ed areas where Internet access is unsatisfactory. Through this three-year program, Properly maintained and used, septic systems the County is offering fi nancial incentives to are a safe way to treat and disperse Internet service providers who erect additional wastewater in millions of homes across the • Keep your system maintained. Your smaller local towers in these areas. These new country. Unfortunately, back-ups and overfl ows authorized practitioner will recommend a towers will act as a bridge between households can lead to costly repair bills that can run into maintenance schedule for you during which and the larger infrastructure towers, to enable and the hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. your tank may require pumping and other bring high-speed Internet service to the area. Protecting your property value can be a big maintenance work may be performed on incentive, but there’s also the need to your system. Some systems may require Going forward on a priority basis, it is anticipated safeguard the health of you and your family. more frequent maintenance. Some regions that 12 new local towers will be erected this fall, Nitrogen runoff from faulty systems can may require specifi c cleaning and with the potential for another 100 or more going contaminate your well water or community inspections every three to fi ve years. Check up by the end of 2018. drinking water supply. The pollutants can also with your municipality for compliance make seafood unsafe to eat, turn lakes and requirements. Additionally, rural residents will soon be able to rivers green with algae, and rob underwater life enjoy unlimited free Internet access whenever of oxygen. they visit their nearest community facility. In a The results will not only be a merrier holiday; partnership with Strathcona County Library - with properly maintained septic systems protect our So residents who use septic tanks may want to grant funding and Shell Canada sponsorship - local drinking water, our favorite fi shing holes and follow a few simple steps to avoid problems towers will be installed at community facilities the lakes and rivers we use for recreation. during the holidays. To prevent problems, here where Internet access is not available or limited. Septic system use is growing. The U.S. are some tips to keep your septic system This will allow residents to enjoy the entire suite of Environmental Protection Agency has found fl owing smoothly: services and resources that the Library has to that about 25 percent of new developments are offer, including access to all of the e-content • Tell people what not to fl ush. Ask your served by septic systems. Statistics indicate (e-books, e-music, e-movies, etc.), and to Library guests to only put things in the drain or that 10 to 20 percent of septic systems fail. programming with a digital component. When the toilet that belong there. For example, hair Malfunctioning systems are the third most Bookmobile stops at rural community facilities, it combings, dental fl oss, disposable diapers, common source of ground water contamination. fl ushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, will be able to offer real-time access to patron accounts and reference resources. High-speed cigarette butts, and condoms can cause Remember that following proper guidelines will Internet will also make the facilities more problems for septic systems. help prevent expensive repairs and keep the appealing to groups looking to book a venue for • Identify your drainage fi eld and be sure to environment clean–not only during the holiday their next event. keep cars and heavy equipment off of it. season–but throughout the entire year. Remind guests that the drainage fi eld is an The new towers will be owned by the Internet essential part of the septic system and that Further information service providers, who will be responsible for the they should not park their vehicles on Alberta Onsite Wastewater related construction and maintenance. The service sections of the yard where the weight could Management Association providers will identify and contact landowners who damage buried pipes or disrupt 1-877-489-7471 (toll free) might be interested in having a tower installed on underground fl ow. www.aowma.com their property.

Further information Information Technology Services 780-464-8024 Poster contest www.strathcona.ca/ruralinternet

In the spring of 2015, the Agricultural Service Board held its annual poster contest for Grades 3, 4 and 5 students from Strathcona County and . The students were asked to draw posters with the theme ‘Get Growing with Urban Agriculture’. The contest winners were each presented a cheque at the June 16 Council meeting.

The Agricultural Service Board wishes to thank all the students who entered the contest. Why evergreens lose leaves too Why is my evergreen tree losing its needles? Unlike deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the fall, coniferous trees are known for keeping their needles through the fall and winter months. Coniferous trees are often classifi ed as evergreens, but this does not mean the tree stays green forever. Evergreen actually refers to the group of woody plants where the needles remain green and attached to the tree for more than one year. Evergreen “leaves” usually remain on the tree for 2 to 3 years before they are shed.

Where we are Coniferous trees can exhibit some needle colour change and drop off in the fall months. If it heading: planning for the future is the inside needles of your tree or shrub that are shedding, this is a natural process called autumn Strathcona County is updating its Municipal Next steps - Setting directions this fall needle shed. It is not caused by disease, insects or Development Plan (MDP) which is the County’s injury and does not harm the tree. Over the summer, the planning team began to plan for the future. It sets out a clear vision for develop policy options based on the feedback and how Strathcona County will grow and develop My cedar is losing lots of branches. What do I do? existing County plans and background research. over the next 20 years or more. The plan will These options will be summarized in a Setting Cedar species also lose their needles despite their guide decisions on key issues including Directions report that will be available in the fall scale-like leaf coverings. Whole branchlets may conservation of the natural environment and for the public to review and provide feedback. As drop off in cedars as well as some Junipers. The investment in infrastructure and services. part of Phase 3, we will host another round of loss of older needles is typically gradual, but in public engagement in the fall to dive deeper into some cases more leaves will be affected and the Share your ideas these policy options and directions to make specifi c tree can lose a substantial amount of foliage. You We’re asking residents, business owners, and choices about where the County can go. This phase may notice more branches are lost if the cedar is community stakeholder groups to share their will result in draft policies that will shape the under stress, which may be caused by drought. ideas on a range of topics including: updated MDP. These will be refi ned further into • agriculture a complete draft plan in Phase 4. There are brown needles on my pine tree. • rural residential development Is it sick? • environmental management Stay in the know This is the time of year when you may notice some • affordable housing The best way to stay up to date on the MDP update brown needles on pine trees. Check your trees to • nature-based and agri-tourism project and fi nd out the dates for the next round of ensure the discoloured needles are towards the engagements is to sign up to the mailing list at interior of the tree (closest to the trunk). The outer For more information on these topics please visit www.strathcona.ca/MDP or call 780-464-8127. You needles on branches should remain green. Chemical the “backgrounders” on the project website at can also visit this website and the online injury, nitrogen defi ciency, over-watering, drought, www.strathcona.ca/MDP. We are currently in engagement hub to learn more about the MDP insect damage or tree disease symptoms can all be Phase 2 of the process and recently hosted update, check out our whiteboard video, fi nd out confused with autumn needle shed. Coniferous interactive workshops in , about upcoming engagement activities, and view trees exhibiting entire branches with discoloured Ardrossan and to hear from a input as it is gathered. needles or more widespread browning could indicate range of urban and rural residents on these a more serious threat to your tree. topics.

Weed inspectors wrap up another busy season Say no to recycle station dumping. Keep our rural Thank you to everyone for working cooperatively with recycling station and Strathcona County’s weed inspectors this past summer. events clean. In many cases, residents took immediate action to control When reporting, be sure to include date, time licence weeds after the weed inspector met with them to discuss plate number, description their concerns. Further information: of the person, vehicle and items dumped. Transportation and We appreciate your assistance and look forward to your Agriculture Services continued support in controlling weeds in Strathcona County. 780-417-7100

News for rural residents provided by CountryTalk Strathcona County’s Agricultural Service Board

The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) acts as an advisory body to Council on agriculture matters, while promoting and developing agriculture policies and programs to meet the needs of residents and the municipality.

Agricultural Service Board Transportation and Agriculture Services Councillor Bonnie Riddell, Chair Joel Gould, Manager, Agriculture Services 780-464-8003 780-417-7100